Blog

Helping hands, knowing smiles and a life well lived. Come on a journey with us, and let us show you what In Great Company is all about.

Read our stories and share the experiences of real people living their lives to the fullest.

Friendship through a companionship program

Sometimes all you need is some great company. Today, we sat down with Sandra* and Patricia, who have a mutual understanding and growing friendship – thanks to their connection through In Great Company.

Meet the volunteer: Bron Hinwood-MacDougall

Volunteering to help out others often means reaped benefits for you too. At least that's what Bron thinks after volunteering with In Great Company for four months and forming some meaningful new relationships.

Meet the staff: Kay Coombes

A love of tennis has led Kay from friends she has made for life to an occupation that helps those in need find their own friends, through In Great Company's volunteer program. Below she shares a bit about herself and her own journey.

Diana finds friendship after losing husband of 60 years

We know how much friendship and connection mean to people - especially to the seniors whose lives are improved by the company of others. This month, we sat down with a client, Diana, and asked her about her experience with In Great Company.

Role of the month: August

Miss having a yarn with your grandparents? We’re looking for volunteers in and around Murwillumbah to help keep seniors socially connected. Become a volunteer now!

Meet the volunteer: Aleteia Langley

While Kathleen might not remember every single thing her and her volunteer visitor Aleteia have done together, they are still forming some incredible memories together. Ale opens about her experiences visiting a senior with memory loss.

Meet the volunteer: Zhenyu Wang

Moving from China to Australia over two years ago, Zhenyu Wang was following his mother's advice in how he could give back to his new community - and so he started volunteering with In Great Company. Read his volunteer interview!

IGC goes live on Sunrise

In late April, In Great Company was featured on Channel 7’s Sunrise Breakfast program, as Jess and Paul showed the country what true friendship looks like.

How social connection can help those with depression

Major depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the world, and it can make people feel alone and isolated. Knowing how to talk to someone living with depression can be a great way to support them.

Role of the month: May

We’re looking for volunteers from Elanora, Palm Beach and surrounds to help keep seniors socially connected with their already vibrant local communities and live bolder lives!

Meet the staff: Alex Forster

Alex Forster's values align with our own, which is why she was such a great match for In Great Company. Now, she is the one pairing up like-minded seniors and volunteers, and the stories that come of her wonderful match-making do not disappoint.

Volunteers join forces to help combat loneliness and isolation

In Great Company brings people together to ensure they don’t feel alone in their later years of life, in particular those that are most vulnerable. Join us this National Volunteer Week!

Volunteer Week Event

Volunteers are the lifeblood of what we do here at In Great Company and we want to celebrate and thank you for the vital role you play in lives of seniors we support.  Join us at our Volunteer Week Event!

Kay's authentic Japanese sushi recipe

Kay is an In Great Company volunteer coordinator, and she was born and raised on a northern island of Japan called Hokkaido. She is sharing her authentic Japanese sushi recipe.

How to help an older adult with depression

For depressed seniors, raised in a time when mental illness was highly stigmatised and misunderstood, it can be difficult to seek help - here's what you can do to support an older adult with depression.

Unique friendship is helping cure 89-year-old’s loneliness

Alan Hill knows how it feels to be lonely. Fortunately, the 89-year-old also knows the joy that comes from making a new friend in your twilight years. Find out how he and Morgan found each other!

COVID-19 vaccine update

For more information on making informed choices when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as other information relating to the health care sector, read the below!

6 activities for low-vision seniors or those with dementia

Activities help stimulate the mind and memory and keep seniors engaged and interested in life. But finding activities for a person with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or vision impairment can take a little extra creativity. We share 6!

Role of the month: March

Are you based on the Sunshine Coast and miss having a yarn with your grandparents? Learn from those wiser, and volunteer to visit the young at heart and keep them connected to the communities they love. Apply now!

Meet the staff: Alison Saito

We often like to feature our incredible volunteers, but our staff deserve the same recognition - this month, we interviewed Volunteer Coordinator Alison Saito. Read her interview!

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Want to get involved?

See what being a volunteer with In Great Company is all about and how you could make a positive difference in someone's life, by signing up for our volunteer newsletter.